Promoter Jared Shaw Wants To Kiss And Make-Up With Dana White

Jared Shaw, former Vice-President of EliteXC, hasn’t been seen much in MMA circles in the past year since the promotion folded. Shaw took much of the flak after the collapse of the company which came after the star they had built the company around, backyard brawler Kimbo Slice, was beaten in just 14 seconds by last minute replacement Seth Petruzelli.

Since then many of the shows fighers have moved on to other promotions and Kimbo Slice has went on to star in The UFC’s Ultimate Fighter reality show to record ratings, whilst Shaw has been forced to watch on from the sidelines and wonder what might have been.

Now in a new interview with Ariel Helwani from mma.fanhouse Shaw, who now promotes boxing cards, admits that he’d still love to be involved in mixed martial arts. “I 100% miss Mixed Martial Arts, it’s a fantastic sport.”

When asked if he has been blacklisted from the sport he replies, “I wouldn’t neccessarily say the word “blacklisted,” but “lack of opportunity” – of course.”

In the 20 minute interview Shaw looks to distance himself from the way EliteXC handled their best known fighter Kimbo Slice. On the now infamous fight with Frank Shamrock (who pulled out at the last minute to be replaced by Seth Petruzelli) he says, “I wanted Brett Rogers [to fight Kimbo]. Brett Rogers called him out, Brett Rogers deserved an opportunity, Brett Rogers is a guy I could have built on had he beaten Kimbo.” He also states, “I was the only one who wanted that fight…everybody shut that fight down except me.”

Much of Shaw’s answers feel like a form of self promotion and it’s clear that he is looking for a way back into the sport. Despite having been mocked publicly by UFC president Dana White on numerous occasions during his previous stint in MMA, Shaw appears keen to bury the hatchet. “Dana White is the best. Dana talks crap about everybody. Everybody goes out and they are not successful and then Dana gets them back probably at cheaper prices.”

Asked by Helwani if that means we’ll see him in with the UFC Shaw laughs, “Dana, offer me a cheaper deal and me and you can kiss and make up any day.”

Whether White is ready to reconcile with the promoter he called a “retard” remains to be seen. Watch the full interview below..

Ross launched MMA Insight (previously FightOfTheNight.com) in 2009 as a way to channel his passion for the sport of mixed martial arts. He's since penned countless news stories and live fight reports along with dozens of feature articles as the lead writer for the site, reaching millions of fans in the process.

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